Bren Hedera

“Slaver!”

“Piece of rubbage.”

“Taking advantage of a lady. How dare you!”

“Where are the authorities?”

“Guard! Arrest this man!”

Bren groaned inwardly. He knew this was going to happen. He had prepared his arguments, his reasoning, and spoken with Lucia about what needed to be said. These people were not here to listen to him. No, he was here to be hanged.

Standing beside him, Lucia’s heart burned with rage at the accusations. The Bond held none of this back, and he felt her outrage mixed with disbelief. He couldn’t read her thoughts, but he knew she would be unbelievably frustrated that none of these noble lords and ladies were listening to her.

“Let me explain!” Bren protested, raising his hands as he tried to get a word in.

“Silence. A word from such disgusting lips would do nothing to exonerate you,” a Thrundol woman spat. She was the worst in the group, and the first to throw accusations. Bren couldn’t even pin a name to the furious face glaring him down, and she wasn’t going to give him one.

“Please calm yourselves! This does not need to be such an issue! Let us explain our circumstances!”

“It will be nothing but excuses,” another man, seemingly the Thrundol woman’s date, laughed harshly. “How can we trust anything you have to say?”

“LISTEN TO ME!” Lucia bellowed.

“Your word cannot be trusted either, dearie,” the main instigator said again. “He could have ordered you to say anything.”

“Have proof! Other oath. Read, listen!”

“What, that tattoo? Nothing that couldn’t be forged. Get a tattoo to try to disprove the dispicable act. Bren Hedera, of all people? I never would have thought,” the woman scoffed. “Worm your way into the Royal family and then you do this? We will have you exiled.”

“My Lady,” Bren said coldly, cutting through the vitriol. “I would have the name of the woman who is so intent on defiling my name.”

“Lady Inmaculada Zorita,” the woman said, turning up her tusks at him. “Not that it will matter much to you, scum. Not for long.”

“Lady Zorita,” Bren said, not giving her more room to continue her tirade. “I will not brook further slander of my word, nor that of Lucia’s. This Debt was entered into by Lucia’s offer, not any insistence on my part. In fact, I attempted to dissuade her from choosing this path. I have witnesses!”

“Who? The slut princess you galavant around with? Such a noble, upstanding person to call upon.”

Bren felt his own anger flare. He could take attacks on his own character just fine, but Kat was his sister. Lucia glanced down at him as she felt the fire bridge their Bond, eyes flashing concern.

“You dare besmirch Katlyn in such a way? Here? You grow overly bold, Lady Zorita.”

“As if her reputation has any standing left,” the woman’s date scoffed. Murmurs agreed with him. “She was already an outcast, then she brings that Warped creature back.”

“Annita is fully verified by multiple sources, including General Polaris.”

“Who we all know is partial to the Princess,” the man cut him off.

“And Major Gwindon? The entire outpost’s medical team?”

“We’re getting off topic!” one of the crowd shouted.

“Yes! This is not about her, but the grave sin you have committed. I will not see you leave the hall tonight but in shackles,” Lady Zorita swore, crossing her heart in an uncommon gesture of an oath.

“What about priest?” Lucia asked through bared teeth. “Can have two confirm. Two! Bryltia and Orenous. Bryltia for experience, Orenous for connection. Qu’Sella for other oath! Can get verified. Are spells.”

“Well, none of them are here now, are they?” another woman in the crowd chimed in. “At a minimum, you must submit to the law!”

“I have confirmed everything I needed to!” Bren protested. “I have made every assurance and filed every document needed to prove my intentions. Furthermore, I have literally sworn to, and been heard by, the Gods themselves! I will not be questioned like this.”

The crowd erupted into jeers and well-spoken insults aimed at him, and some at Kat. They’d really stepped into an Agony’s nest. They’d been fully warned by Ilana and multiple others, but facing it was another experience entirely. Bren felt his mind racing, coming up with a hundred logical explanations, assurances, and plans to assuage the crowd, but they kept simply shouting them down.

Eventually, the crowd got angry. Angry enough, they started to make mistakes. Calling for his honour. He waited, a hand on Lucia’s wrist. Bren felt her muscles working as she clenched her fists, grinding her knuckles together as she tried to not lash out at their aggressors. He blessed her for showing such restraint and tried to find an out. Some way to either distract them or channel their aggression in a way he could use.

As they raged, they closed in, bumping up against him and Lucia. 

Some hands reached for Lucia, trying to pull her away, and she shook them off with a snarl.

“Can you see Junia or Krisnaal?” Bren asked Lucia, unable to see most of the room over the heads surrounding him.

“No. Left for something?” Lucia said tersely.

“Damn it all,” Bren cursed.

He let more and more hatred build, then one of them made the mistake he was looking for.

“Duel me, you coward!” a man shouted.

Bren’s head whirled and found the target. A large man, broad shouldered with a crest on his chest.

“A duel?” Bren shouted back over the crowd. “I would consent to a duel. For my honour and Lucia’s.”

The crowd quieted as a path forward was given them.

“The man shows some spine after all, or will he just order his slave to be his second?” the man jeered.

“Doesn’t need to,” Lucia growled. “I will.”

“Oh no ye don’t,” Kat’s voice cut through the crowd. “Listen up, ya noble lords an’ ladies. I’ve been listenin’ tae this shite fer the entire time. You all step the feck down before I get the guard in here tae break this up.”

Bren watched the crowd wilt under Kat’s glare. She cut an imposing figure that was helped tenfold by Ann all but growling beside her. The woman’s ears were flattened, and her fangs were longer than normal. She was using skills to look more threatening, and Bren felt relieved he had people who cared so much about him. Rosalyn was either missing or so short he couldn’t see her at the moment, then he spied her up on the high table, watching the scene intently.

“A duel has been requested and accepted, Katlyn,” Bren declared, sweeping his hands wide to add to the drama of the moment. “All here know I am no warrior and may claim the right to choose a second.”

“Hah, Katlyn’s fighting skill is well known. I will be able to handle it. I, Sir Biagio, shall show you your place, criminal.”

Bren sighed, lookt at Kat, then shook his head. “Yes, this is true. Katlyn is a well-known quantity and who I would normally choose as my second. Tonight, however, I choose Annit Kronforst to represent me.”

“Huh?”

Bren took a moment to enjoy the look of utter shock on Ann’s face before returning his focus to Sir Biagio. “Do you object?”

Sir Biagio took a moment, sizing Ann up, then nodded. “No objections. I will enjoy the easy victory you present to me.”

You poor fool, Bren thought. Far too used to duels of honour, and Ann does not play nice.

“You all have heard it. A duel. Where and when shall this be held? I will allow you to choose the where, Sir Biagio.”

“The courtyard, out front of the mance,” the bulky human chose. “Are we not to do this immediately?”

“Twenty minute’s time, at the bottom of the hour. We will meet you there, Sir,” Bren said with a flourishing bow.

Sir Biagio, for all his anger at Bren, had the manners to return the bow, then stalked off with many of the crowd following.

“Jesus, Bren. I didn’t expect that,” Ann laughed, walking up now that she had room. “You sure you want me doing this? I’m not as good as Kat, and you know it.”

“I know it, Kat knows it, they think they know your strength. Remember, you have been sparring with Kat for months now. She is fighting you and has had extensive time to learn your habits. This is similar to what Biagio wished to exploit against Katlyn. Throwing a wild card at him takes away that advantage.”

Bren walked up to Ann and pulled her down close so only she, and possibly Kat, could hear. “Also, I wish for you to fight as dirty as possible. Use everything you have to beat him.”

“Aye,” Kat muttered under her breath. “Ye thrash him as brutally as possible. This is a statement. Ye’re an unknown, and with yer backstory, ye don’t know the manners o’ a duel. We’ll be usin’ that tae make sure no one doubts yer strength after tonight. Bren’s makin’ a play tae get us back in some level o’ authority.”

“That is the gist, correct,” Bren nodded. “Apologies for the lack of forewarning. The thought simply struck me in the moment. Now that that is established, can you please stop seething, Lucia? It is making it hard to thing with that rage bubbling in my chest.”

“Speak for self,” Lucia growled. “Can feel yours. Can’t hide from me.”

“I miss the brief time I could,” Bren chuckled. She was right, though. As much as he tried to play it off, he was furious. Furious at all the people who refused to listen to him, much less Luca, about why they did what they’d done, and that he had taken all necessary precautions. The mental inflexibility of those should be deplored. No doubt Ann would experience much the same once her status and goals are revealed to the public. He sighed and let go of the burning.

“Better?” Lucia asked.

“No. Not at all. It is simply that anger will not help with what needs to be done. Organisation and a clear mind are needed now. Kat, send for Ann’s gauntlets. Explain the rules and what she can get away with while you do. I will need to go speak with our host and secure her as a judge.”

Kat gave him a wicked grin, her blue eyes glinting dangerously. “Oh, she’ll be plenty prepped. Ye leave that tae me.”

Illdall protect Sir Biagio, Bren prayed as he watched Kat pull Ann close and stalk off towards some servants.

“Organisation?”

“Ah, yes. Apologies, I was just realising what I have unleashed,” Bren said. He patted Lucia on the upper arm. “Let us go handle the easy part of this process.”

They walked off toward the last place Bren had seen Junia and Krisnaal, hoping to at least catch their trail. They wouldn’t be absent from the party for long.

“Rules?” Lucia asked.

“Rules for the duel are simple, and with that, complex,” Bren said, eyes scanning for his quarry. “The fight goes until surrender. Weapons are completely allowed, though blunted or enchanted so as not to maim an opponent. That said, mistakes do happen and there have been deaths. Generally, it is considered bad manners to kill your opponent.”

Lucia grunted an acknowledgement to that, crossing her arms as her crimson eyes glared into the throngs of partygoers. “Time?”

“None. If an opponent refuses to submit, then the judge is the arbiter of the duel’s end.”

“Seems simple,” Lucia nodded, agreeing to his previous statement.

“Only one other rule, really. They can not leave the designated area for the duel. Other than that? They are free to fight as they wish.”

“Terrain’s important,” Lucia grumbled.

“Right, and Ann is a dexterity based fighter that can slip away from your senses or manipulate your emotions. That courtyard has a fountain and several structures that she might be able to ambush Biagio. This is where things get complicated. Ann can do whatever she likes to the man as long as she wrings a concession from him at the end, or the judge declares her a victor. I have not seen Ann so angry before, besides against Horace, and that is why I chose her as my second. Kat would face this head on, treating it like a fair fight. Ann will likely want to teach Biagio a lesson. I want that over Kat’s style tonight.”

“Like said. Demonstration. Agree. Best tactic for cowards. Make them fear questioning.”

“I would rather stop short of fear, but give them pause when they throw accusations so freely,” Bren said. “This will be a harsh lesson, but a necessary one. I will not tolerate those who attack either of our honours.”

A flash of appreciation surged through the bond before Lucia grabbed hold of her emotions again. Bren hid a smile that he’d evoked such a strong feeling from the woman. She was like that. Strong bursts of feeling something, then it was all wrestled back behind that mask of stoicism. Her outburst and anger was actually the longest he’d felt such a strong feeling from the tusked lady beside him.

Just then, Junia and Krisnaal appeared through a side door. Bren grabbed Lucia’s wrist and rushed over to them.

“Bren?” Junia asked, confused. “What’s the matter? You look completely out of sorts.”

“Well, the inevitable has come, and what we feared has happened. A duel has been requested and accepted.”

Junia closed her eyes, brows knitting in frustration. “Those fools. Very well, I will judge the competition.”

“I would, if it is alright with you, ask that Krisnaal be the judge,” Bren cut in. “As our host, it is her property, and I believe it proper to allow her to be the arbiter here. There were also some less than charitable comments directed towards Katlyn, and the observers will take your involvement as less than impartial.”

“Not like I’m much better. Been paling around with Junia for years,” Krisnaal said, shrugging her broad shoulders. “But you’re right. It is my family’s house, I get the final say. Alright then, Bren. You’ve got yourself a judge. When’s the contest?”

“About fifteen minutes from now, in the courtyard out front,” Bren said. “Both parties have agreed to standard rules.”

“Good, good. You had the sense to set Kat up for a good duel,” Krisnaal laughed.

“Ah, that’s the one thing,” Bren said, raising a finger. “It will be Annita fighting, not Kat.”

Junia looked at him, shocked. “Are you sure? I’ve read plenty of reports on her combat prowess. While she seems to be a natural, Kat still wins most of their sparring.”

“I am, and I will repeat my reasoning,” Bren said, then launched into his explanation. Once done, he crossed his arms, looking between Junia and Krisnaal as they considered his logic.

“Could work,” Krisnaal mumbled. “Surprise is a damn good advantage, and I doubt too many of them looked into how good a fighter she is, even with the whole Seed business.”

“I would still prefer Katlyn represent you,” Junia said. “Biagio is a rather skilled duellist. He will press Annita hard even if she is able to catch him off guard.”

“Ann has a few tools in her disposal that she has not publicly used. I expect her to pull out all the stops for this fight. Like I told Lucia before, this is about the angriest I’ve seen her. Kat is also prepping her as we speak.”

“I’ll go get the guards prepared,” Krisnaal sighed. “Odds are word’s spread by now. We’ll get tables and refreshments set up. Jameson, come on. Let’s get this show on the road.”

With a snap, the woman was off with a servant hustling behind her.

“So, you will be providing any medical attention necessary?” Junia asked.

“That’s right. Even to the scum who insulted Lucia and I,” Bren said cooly.

“I haven’t seen you so worked up either,” Junia said, cocking a perfect eyebrow. “Please tell me you didn’t provoke this duel.”

“What? No, of course not. I simply allowed them to hang themselves. I knew someone in the crowd would make such a demand and seized it as soon as that branch was proffered.”

“Can confirm. No provoking. Was angry at him for it,” Lucia said. “Do not like weakness. No, was not that. Was act. Luring prey into trap.”

“Such are the ways of politics,” Junia sighed. “At least you didn’t make it too obvious. This will be a step in the right direction to fortify your stance regarding the Life Debt, but do not think it clears suspicion. Gods, who do I think I’m lecturing, Katlyn? You know this.”

“Indeed,” Bren nodded with a smile. “Honestly, this might not actually do much to get my reputation out of the ditch it has entered. Regardless, I feel the need to defend Lucia’s honour, and my own.”

“Give it time, Bren. If there’s anything that I’ve learned over my many years, it is that people get used to something with time, rather than force. Let us be honest, it took time for them to get used to me.”

“So you have told me. Alright, Lucia? Would you join me as we see our words defended by another?”

“Still would have fought,” Lucia grumbled.

“Yes, I know, but your skill set is not suited for this style of engagement. Maybe next time we can arrange a contest of accuracy if it comes to it?”

“Would like,” Lucia nodded. “Let’s go.”

Lucia bumped his shoulder with what he was starting to understand as affection as they headed out front of the mance.

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